St Peter and St Paul Church News
Armistice weekend
It was joy that we were able to open the church on the afternoons of Saturday and Sunday.
The church was decorated in memory of the fallen. It was great to be able to bring out the Banxy Silent WW1 Soldier for prominent display to celebrate the centenary of the formation of the Royal British Legion.
The other attraction was a special display of memorabilia about R.A.F. Bomber Command. The squadron known as the ‘Dambusters’. This year is the 80th Anniversary of the squadron’s daring raid on the Ruhr Valley.
After the service in Central Park at the Memorial many people came to the Parish Church for a short service of reflection and remembrance.
Bishop Saju
Bishop Saju visited the Goscote Deanery (a group of churches in the area) on Wednesday 15th November calling in at various villages and joining in with some of the activities. He came to St Peter & St Paul in the afternoon and joined in with the Craft and Chat group that meets every week from 2pm to 4pm.
In the evening he was at Birstall St James the Great church for the Deanery meeting to which Reverend Ros and a couple of members of the Deanery attended.
Concert
It was a real pleasure to welcome the Watermead Singers, part of the Charnwood Community Singers Group, to perform in the church. The choir meet every Thursday afternoon in the Elizabeth Park Centre in Thurmaston and are directed by Caroline Sharpe.
They performed a wide selection of songs from stage and screen, varying from Vivaldi’s Gloria to a lullaby from a Harry Potter film! There was a wonderful Mezzo Soprano, Olvia Thornber, who sang among a selection Ombra Mai Fu by Handel and We’ll Gather Lilacs in the Spring Again by Ivor Novello.
The singing was followed by refreshments a selection of cheeses, plus some nibbles for those less keen on cheese, and including a glass of wine and time to socialise.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening resulting in about £500 being raised for the planned toilet and a small servery in the church.
Christmas
Christmas time will soon be upon us. We observe the season of Advent where we prepare ourselves for the birth of Christ. This season is from the 3rd December up to Christmas Eve on the 24th December. It is a period of waiting to reflect on hope, peace, joy and love. During Advent we light a series of four candles, one each Sunday lit in expectation, in hope, and in longing in the light that is coming into the world.
The Christmas Carol Service will, this year, be on Sunday 24th December at 6.30pm. For the younger members of the family there will be a Christingle Service at 4pm on Christmas Eve. Please come along and join us as we celebrate who Jesus is and how we can keep him close to us in everyday things such as fruit and other goodies.
Mid-night Mass will be celebrated in its traditional way of prayer, singing and communion at 11.30pm. Christmas Day at 10am Special Communion Service for families.
From now on the service of Communion on Sunday morning will begin at 10.30am.
